Hokies Get Defensive, Blow Out Appalachian State 69-37

By: Chris Coleman | Managing EditorDecember 10, 2006March 8, 2017

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Virginia Tech used an outstanding defensive effort to overcome a shaky offensive start, and the result was a 69-37 blowout victory over Appalachian State Sunday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies improve to 6-3 with the win, while the Mountaineers drop to 5-3.

The Hokies didn’t play well offensively as a team, but they got good performances from several individual players. Senior guard Zabian Dowdell scored 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He was 3-of-5 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. With his performance today, Dowdell is now 30-of-34 from the free throw line this season, good for 88.2%.

A.D. Vassallo, who had been streaky early in the season, had one of his better games. The sophomore forward scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He was 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. He also hit both of his free throws.

Deron Washington was active on the offensive end with 13 points, and also on the defense end. Washington finished the game with team-high five blocks. Freshman forward Lewis Witcher also continued his good play with eight points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes of action.

Virginia Tech managed to come away with the 32-point victory despite Jamon Gordon being on the bench for most of the game. Gordon got in foul trouble early in the first half, and played just 16 minutes, finishing with two points. He did contribute in other areas, finishing with five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

Both teams started very slowly offensively. The major difference was the Hokies gradually picked up steam as the game progressed. Appalachian State’s Jeremy Clayton hit a layup with 17:15 left in the half to put his team up 4-2, but the Mountaineers didn’t score again until the 2:24 mark of the first half when Clayton was credited with a tip-in.

That’s as long a drought as you’ll see in college basketball, and Tech was gradually able to take control of the game. The Hokies went on a 20-0 run to take a 22-4 lead late in the first half, and then they coasted to the intermission holding a 26-9 lead.

Appalachian State was never able to get closer than 17 points in the second half. Virginia Tech’s offense was better in the second half, as the Hokies scored 43 points and made all 11 free throw attempts. With a better offensive effort in the second half, Tech gradually extended the lead and went on to win the game 69-37.

The Hokies enjoyed a decent shooting performance, especially compared to Appalachian State. Tech shot 47.9% from the field, 42.9% from three-point range and 68% from the free throw line. In the second half, the Hokies were red hot, hitting 58.3% from the field, 80% from three-point range, and 100% from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, the Mountaineers struggled the entire game. They shot just 20.7% from the field, 16% from three-point range and 56.3% from the free throw line. Virginia Tech out-rebounded Appalachian State 40-34.

The Hokies get a week off before welcoming Wake Forest to Cassell Coliseum next Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30, and the game will be televised by FSN.

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The Roundball Club was founded in 2000 and has since grown to include some
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The Mission of the Roundball Club is to:

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